Aspedes announces securing the passage of more than 265 ships in the Red Sea within 8 months

The European Union Naval Mission (ASPEDS) announced that its naval assets were able to carry out more than 265 operations to protect commercial vessels and secure their passage successfully in the Red Sea, west of Yemen, during eight months.

The European Union launched Operation Aspides on 19 February 2024 following an escalation of Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

“Today, our mission has completed eight months of work in the Red Sea region, and thanks to the steadfast commitment of all our members, we have been able to meet many challenges and enhance our contribution to protecting global common goods,” the mission said in a blog post on the X platform on Saturday.

She added in a video clip attached to the tweet that her military assets had "successfully" carried out more than 265 escort and close protection operations for commercial ships as they crossed the southern part of the Red Sea, where international shipping traffic is being attacked by the Houthi group.

Aspidis stressed that its efforts "contribute to preserving local natural resources, thus supporting regional prosperity for all countries bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden."

The European mission renewed its commitment to continue implementing its tasks to maintain and enhance maritime security and policies aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation, protecting commercial ships targeted by attacks at sea or from the air, and securing their passage through the Red Sea.

Today Operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, reached 8 months since its launch. The unwavering commitment of all EUNAVFOR ASPIDES personnel, allowed us to confront numerous challenges and solidify our contribution in protecting global common goods.

EUNAVFOR ASPIDES contributes in… pic.twitter.com/sW6Ca67mW6

- EUNAVFOR ASPIDES (@EUNAVFORASPIDES) October 19, 2024

Since last November, the Iran-backed Houthi militia has been launching drone and missile attacks on cargo ships sailing in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab and the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen, claiming that this is in support of Gaza, which has been subjected to a devastating Israeli war since October 7. These attacks have negatively affected shipping, trade and global supply chains.

As a result, the United States formed a military coalition led by it, and the European Union formed a naval mission for the same purpose, which it said was "defensive" and aimed at protecting maritime navigation in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters.